Yarn tensioning device



Nov. 6, 1962 T. F. SUGGS 3,062,480

YARN TENSIONING DEVICE Filed Aug. 13. 1959 5' Sheng-Sheet 1 INV EN I OR.

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Nov. 6, 1962 r. F. sUGGs 3,062,480

YARN TENSIONING DEVICE Filed Aug. 15, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INV ENTOR.

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Nov. 6, 1962 T. F. sUGGS YARN TENSIONING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 13. 1959 INVENTOR. wilggy@ 62.1 ATTORNEYS.

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3,062,480 YARN TENSINING DEVICE Thomas. F. Suggs, Gastonia, NC., assigner to Cocker Machine & Foundry Company, Gastonia, NC., a corporation of North Carolina Filed Ang. 13, 1959, Ser. No. 333,595 Claims. (Cl. 242-154) This invention relates to yarn tensioning devices for use in connection with textile machinery or apparatus. More particularly, this invention relates to yarn tensioning devices adapted to tensioning and running of lament yarns.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved yarn tensioning device which is both simple in construction and reliable in operation whereby running filament yarns may be subjected to a predetermined tension therein continuously during the operation of the wind-up unit associated therewith without splitting or otherwise rupturing the yarn in any way.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved yarn tensioning device whereby filament yarns may be maintained under tension at all times even though the associated wind-up unit has been stopped.

Other objects and attendant advantages will appear from the following detailed description of the attached drawings wherein:

FIG. l is a side view partly in section and partly diagrammatic showing a yarn tensioning device as constructed according to this invention.

FIG. 2 is a View of the yarn tensioning device of FIG. 1Q showing some of the parts in different operative positions.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the yarn tensioning device shown in FIG. l.

FIG. 4 is a view of the yarn tensioning device as seem from the left side of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a top plan View of a modification of the yarn tensioning device as constructed according to this invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the yarn tensioning device as seen from the bottom side of FIG. 5.

Adverting herewith to the specific form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 4 of the drawings, a bracket 10, comprising the main body portion or frame of the tensioning device, is provided with jaw 11 for engagement with a post or upright 12 to which it may be secured at the proper elevation by means of a set screw 13. At the opposite extremity of the bracket 1t) and formed integrally therewith is an upstanding lug element 14 having an inset yarn guide eye 16 for the guidance of the entering yarn Y. Situate on the periphery of the bracket intermediate the jaw 11 and the upright 14 is another upright lug 17 having an inset guide eye 18 for the guidance of the yarn Y as it leaves the tensioning device. Axed to the outward surface of the lug 17 is a shield 19' for preventing the entanglement of the yarn.

As may best be seen in FIG. 3, positioned centrally of the bracket 1i) is an upstanding yarn-directing stud 2t) about which is fulcrumed for adjustment an arm 21 formed of relatively thin spring metal and having positioned at the distal end thereof another upstanding yarndirecting stud 22. The arm 21 is releasably held in adjusted positions through engagement of the lower projecting end 23 of the stud 22 selectively with spot indentations 24 which are arranged in an arc having its center of curvature in the axis of the iixed stud 26. Aixed to the periphery of the bracket 10 adjacent the upstanding lug 14 is a metal leaf member 25 which supports a third upstanding yarn-directing stud 26. The yarn-directing studs 2) and 26 are secured to the bracket l@ by means v 3,052,480 Patented Nov. 6, 1962 of the screw nuts 27a `and 27C respectively, while the yarn-directing stud 22 is secured to the end of the metal arm 21 by means of screw nut 2717.

Positioned on the yarn-directing stud 22 is an inverted dish-shaped washer or disc 28 having a hole provided in the center thereof for that purpose. A similar washer or disc 29 is positioned around the yarn-directing stud 26. As may best be seen in FIGS. l and 2, a pair of dish-shaped metal washers or discs 30 and 31 are located upon yarn-directing stud 2t) in superposed relation so that the flat surfaces of the washers are opposed to each other. The yarn Y is directed around studs 22 and 26 so that it lies adjacent the top surfaces of the washers 28 and 29 respectively affixed to those studs and around the stud 2@ so that it passes between the topmost washer 3th and the bottommost washer 31. Afxed to the topmost portion of the stud 20 by means of screw 34 is an electrical solenoid magnet 35 which is connected by the circuit lines 36 and 37 through the terminals 38 and 39 to the power lines 40 and 41 of an electrical circuit which, as diagrammatically represented in FIGS. 1 and 2, includes an electrical contact switch 44 and a motor M of a wind-up unit (not shown). The wind-up unit may be any textile machine which processes yarn.

In the specic embodiment of this invention as illustrated in FIGS. 1 4, the entering yarn Y (which may come from a creel or beam, for example) is threaded through the yarn guide eye 16, passed around the yarndirecting stud 22 and then around the yarn-directing stud 26 with a radical change of direction. In each case the yarn is arranged to lie adjacent the top surfaces of the washers 28 and 29 respectively located on the yarn directing studs 22 and 26. After passing around the yarn-directing stud 26, the yarn passes between the washers 30 and 31 which are normally spaced apart from one another when the yarn is running and around the yarndirecting stud 20 after which it is directed into the yarn guide eye 18 out of the yarn tensioning device to a Windup unit (not shown).

In a modification of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, a bracket 40 supports in addition to a fixed upstanding yarn-directing stud 41, a metal arm or plate 42 arranged to pivot about the fixed yarn-directing stud 41. On the plate 42 there is afxed a lower projecting lug element 43 by means of which the plate 42 is releasably held in adjusted positions through the engagement of the lug element 43 selectively with spot indentations 44 which are arranged in an arc having its center of curvature in the axis of the xed stud 41. Adjacent the top surface of the plate 42 and pivotally secured thereto through an upstanding yarn-directing stud 45 is a thin metal plate or leaf 46 which has affixed thereto, near the distal end thereof, a third yarn-directing stud 47, the lower projecting portion of which is arranged for selective engagement with circular openings 48 formed in the lower plate 42 and arranged in an arc having its center of curvature in the axis of the yarn-directing stud 45. The yarn-directing studs 41, 45, and 47 are sheathed respectively by hard ceramic coatings 5t), 51, and 52. The aforesaid ceramic sheathings may be made of any suitable glass or hard ceramic, such as Al Si Mag for example. As may be seen in FIG. 6, the yarn-directing stud 45 is secured to the plate 42 by means of a screw nut 54 and the yarndirecting stud 41 is secured to the bracket 40 by means of a screw nut 55.

At the topmost end of the yarn-directing stud 41 there is secured in fixed position an electrical solenoid magnet 56 having formed at the bottom portion thereof a similarly immoveable dish-shaped washer or disc 57. Loosely surrounding the stud 41 adjacent the metal plate 42 is a felt washer 58 which provides a cushion for the support of a lower washer or disc 59 similarly loosely retained on the yarn-directing stud 4l and arranged for up and down movement longitudinally of the stud 4l.

FIG. 5 shows one of a variety of ways in which a yarn Y may be threaded through the yarn tensioning device as constructed according to the illustrated modification thereof. As shown, the yarn Y enters the tensioning device through an inset yarn guide eye 6ft formed of suitable ceramic material, whence the yarn is passed around the yarn-directing stud 45, thence around the yarn-directing stud 47, from which point it passes between the discs 57 and 59 and around yarn-directing stud 41, and finally passes out of the tensioning device through a ceramic yarn guide eye 62 positioned in the central portion of a shield 63. The yarn Y is drawn up upon an adjacent wind-up unit (not shown). The electromagnet 56 is connected by circuit lines `65 and 66 to an electrical circuit which, as diagrammatically represented in FIG. 6, comprises electrical switch 67 and a motor M of a wind-up unit (not illustrated).

Ordinarily in the practice of this invention with the yarn threaded through the tensioning device as illustrated, varying degrees of tension may be imposed upon the yarn by increasing or decreasing the angularity of its traverse pass therethrough as a result of shifting the arm 21 in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction about the stud 20. When the desired degree of tension upon the yarn has been achieved, the arm 2l is held in stationary position by engagement of the lower projecting end 23 of the stud 22 with the spot indentation selected.

In the operation of the yarn tensioning device, as constructed according to this invention and illustrated in the specific embodiment thereof, when the switch 44 is closed, the motor M is started and at the same time the solenoidal electromagnet affixed to the yarn-directing stud 2@ is energized, the eect of which is to pull the top metallic Washer 3f) upward away from the bottom washer 3l by magnetic force so that the aforesaid top washer during the operation of the wind-up unit normally assumes a raised position adjacent the bottom surface of the electromagnet 35. During the operation of the wind-up unit, the yarn Y is pulled through the yarn tensioning device in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3 through guide eye i6, around the yarn directing studs 22, 26, and Ztl and out through the yarn guide eye 18 past the shield 19 to the wind-up unit associated therewith but not illustrated. At all times during the operation of the wind-up unit while the yarn Y is being pulled through the yarn tensioning device, the top washer 30 is maintained in its raised position thereby avoiding any rubbing, fraying or other Ideleterious frictional effect upon the yarn.

When it is desired to stop the wind-up unit for any reason, the switch 44 is opened thereby stopping the motor M and de-energizing the solenoidal electromagnet 35, the effect of which is to cause the to-p washer 3@ to drop to the position shown in FIG. 2 so that it lies adjacent the bottom washer 31 and so that the yarn Y is firmly gripped and held between the top washer 30 and the bottom washer 31. By reason of the weight of the top washer 3ft the yarn cannot slip back or become loose in the yarn tensioning device, thereby preventing any relaxation of the yarn during the period of stoppage of the wind-up unit.

To achieve the desired degree of tension upon the yarn in the ordinary practice of this invention in accordance with the modification thereof illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the yarn-directing stud i5 may be swung in an arc about the yarn-directing stud 4l by pivoting the plate 42 in the desired direction and similarly the yarn-directing stud 47 may be swung in another arc about the yarndirecting stud 45 by pivoting the topleaf 46, thereby affording an additional change in the direction of the yarn before it passes around the fixed yarn-directing stud 41.

When the desired degree of tension has been imposed upon the yarn by the clockwise or counterclockwise adjustment of the plate 42 and the similar adjustment of the top leaf 46, the motor M may be started by tripping the 4 switch 67 to close an electrical cincuit including the motor M as illustrated in FIG. 6. The tripping of the contact switch 67 to start the motor M simultaneously opens a circuit which includes the electromagnet 56 and which is thereby deenergized. While the yarn is running, the disc 59 rests upon its cushion 58 so that the `disc 59, while free of contact with the disc 57, is elevated suiciently to maintain the yarn Y, which passes over the top surface of the aforesaid disc, at a sufficient height to prevent any possibility of its slipping downward around the studs 4S and 47 and becoming entrapped in any crack or space which may exist between the ceramic sheathings 5l and 52 and the plate or leaf 46.

Whenever it is desired to stop the operation of the windup unit and its attendant motor M, the switch 67 is tripped to open the electrical circuit including the motor M andto close the electrical circuit which includes the electromagnet 56. As the motor M stops, therefore, the electromagnet 56 is energized, the effect of which is to pull the metallic disc 59 upward away from the felt washer 58 by magnetic attraction so that the bottom washer or disc 59 is firmly held adjacent the top washer 57, in consequence the yarn Y is securely gripped between the discs 57, thereby avoiding any relaxation of the yarn with attendant loss of tension with the yarn tensioning device.

It will be apparent that an important advantage of the invention, aside from its relatively simple and inexpensive construction, is realized in the manner in which filament yarns may be subjected to continuous tension the-rein at all times during the operation of the wind-up unit associated therewith without subjecting the yarn to the deleterious frictional effect of the top washers conventionally provided in such tensioning devices for the purpose of maintaining the yarn under tension during periods of stoppage of the wind-up unit. Yet, notwithstanding the elimination of the aforesaid frictional effects, efiicient means are provided for maintaining the yarns under tension at all times during the stoppage of the associated wind-up unit.

It is an important advantage of this invention as well that it is especially adapted to the tuning of filament yarns with a zero twist. Whereas conventional tension discs have a tendency to spread the filaments of such yarn, the discs as provided and used in accordance with this invention reduce the aforesaid tendency to spreading of t-he yarn to a minimum by reason of the elimination of any need of a tension `disc for supplying a running tension, while, at the same time, providing disc action for gripping or yholding the yarn when the machine is stopped.

It is also a notable feature of the invention as hereinbefore described that two stud-supporting plates, a lower plate which is pivoted upon the same pivot that holds the electromagnet and an upper plate which is pivoted upon the lower plate, allow a much wider range of tension loading applied to the yarn in the form of running tensions than has heretofore been possible whereby there is afforded exceptional adaptability to a wide variety of situations frequently encountered in the field.

Still another feature which contributes greatly to the adaptability of the tension device as constructed according to this invention is the manner in which said device may be mounted in positions other than the conventional horizontal plane by reason of the fact that in whatever position the device is mounted, a positive grip is nevertheless obtained between the gripping tension discs whenever the machine is stopped.

Although this invention -has been ldisclosed with reference to specific forms and embodiments thereof, it will be evident that a great number of variations may -be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of this invention. For example, parts may be reversed, equivalent elements may be substituted for those specifically disclosed, and certain features of the invention may be used independently of other features, all without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A tensioning device for running yarn comprising a support, means for feeding a textile into said device, a xed textile-directing stud disposed upon said frame, a swingable member disposed adjacent said frame and arranged to pivot about said xed stud, said plate having axed thereto another textile-directing stud, said other stud being spaced apart from said xed stud, another swingable member disposed adjacent said first-mentioned swingable member and arranged to pivot about said second-mentioned stud, said second-mentioned swingable member having affixed thereto another textile-directing stud, said last-mentioned stud being spaced apart from said xed stud and said second-mentioned stud.

2. The tensioning device dened in claim 1 wherein said support has formed therein a plurality of indentations disposed in an arc having a center of curvature in the axis of said xed stud and wherein said iirst-mentioned swingable member has a lOWer projecting lug aixed to the bottom surface thereof for selective engagement with said indentations.

3. The tensioning device `dened in claim 2 wherein said first-mentioned swingable member has formed therein a series of openings disposed in an arc having a center of curvature in the axis of said second-mentioned stud and wherein said second-mentioned swingable member has a lower projecting lug aiixed to the bottom surface thereof for selective engagement of said openings.

4. In a tensioning device, the combination comprising a pivot post fixed on said device, a swingable member pivoted on said pivot post for swinging movement back and forth about said post, a second pivot post carried in fixed position upon said swingable member, a second swingable member mounted on said second post for swinging movement about said second post, a third post carried in xed position on said second swingable member and means extending between said rst swingable member and said second swingable member for mamtaining said second swingable member in various adjusted positions with respect to said `first swingable member.

5. 4In a tensioning device which has a base and includes yarn guiding means for introducing the yarn and for withdrawing the yarn therefrom, the combination which comprises a pivot post xed to said base and extending therefrom at a location adjacent the yarn withdrawal means, thereby forming a yarn guiding post, a rst movable plate pivoted to said yarn guiding post for movement rback and forth about said post, a second yarn guiding -pivot post affixed to said rst swingable member at a point remote from the first-mentioned post, means for adjusting said Iswingable member to various positions relative to said base, a second swingable member pivotally connected to said second post with capacity for movement about said second post, and a third post carried by said second swingable member at a location which is remote from said second pivot post.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,187,912 Houghton June 20, 1916 1,790,553 Peterson Jan. 27, 1931 1,940,477 Abbott Dee. 19, 1933 2,581,142 Rea Jan. 1, 1952 2,907,535 Mindheim et a1. Oct. 6, 1959 

